THE BACKDROP:

My name is Thimme Gowda. I am a resident of Bangalore and work as a golf coach.

This is the story of my brother Yogesh Gowda.

Yogesh was a promising C-category certified golf coach at one of India’s top golf courses in Hyderabad - The HGA (Hyderabad Golf Association). He learned his golf as a caddy first. He then coached at Bangalore Golf Club before moving to Hyderabad. A horrific accident involving a Volvo bus on the Bangalore - Hyderabad highway turned his life upside down. He had 45% burns & almost died. But his fighting spirit & will to live ensured that he fought for his life. He now is very badly disfigured and 8 of his fingers have been amputated.

As a first step, he needs to undergo multiple plastic surgeries and other rehabilitation procedures over an 18-month period. 

We have already raised 8.1L INR through a very successful crowdfunding campaign on Fueladream.com & would like to thank all the funders for that.

We now need to raise 4L through this campaign for the monthly cost of medicines, special food & medical care at home for Yogesh for the next 24 months.

This is a request to help us fund this amount.

Pic: Before and after images of Yogesh.

THE DETAILS OF THE INCIDENT:

On the 30th of October 2013, Yogesh was traveling from Bangalore to Hyderabad in a Volvo. About 150 kms outside Hyderabad, that ill-fated bus caught fire after hitting a culvert on the highway. More than forty people died, and just five passengers survived, all thanks to Yogesh’s presence of mind & efforts to kick open the emergency door. However, he suffered 45% burns and was in DRDO Apollo Hospital in Hyderabad for 4 months fighting for his life.

Pic: Here's the chilling aftermath of the Volvo bus that caught fire in the horrific accident. (For more information about the accident, please check the news articles below).

The freak bus accident nearly extinguished Yogesh's life, passion, and livelihood. He had risen from humble beginnings to establish himself as a golf coach. The deaths of his father and brother-in-law, who were the family's breadwinners, had already plunged them into dire financial straits. Yogesh was the family's beacon of hope until the ill-fated accident.

This tragedy not only altered his life but also shattered his dream of being a golf coach as the fire consumed his fingers. These fingers, critical for a golfer, had to be amputated. Once an outgoing, bubbly, and enthusiastic individual, Yogesh now hesitates to step out of the house. Each excursion carries the risk of infection or uncomfortable stares from others.

During this harrowing time, Dr. Ajayettan, our family physician, emerged as a savior. He visited our house every day for a year to assist Yogesh with dressings and protect him from infections. Initially charging us 4000 INR per month, Dr. Ajayettan graciously ceased billing us when he realized our financial struggles. Part of the funds raised through this campaign will go towards compensating Dr. Ajayettan INR 4000 per month.

MONTHLY COST BREAK UP OF YOGESH:

NEWS ARTICLES ON THE ACCIDENT: